Birdwatching trails and medieval castles in Extremadura's most spectacular national park

Monfragüe National Park is one of the great natural treasures of both Extremadura and all of Spain. This vast area of ​​almost 19,000 hectares, located in the heart of the province of Cáceres, combines stunning natural beauty with beautiful villages, making it one of the best destinations for a weekend getaway ; in fact, it's one of the most visited sites of its kind in the entire country.

Although many explore this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve trying to unravel all its hidden secrets, the truth is that this national park offers countless treasures that often go unnoticed by most visitors. Throughout the park, there are various trails ideal for seeing the most majestic wildlife that inhabits it or for reaching one of the architectural gems that make this natural paradise even more special.

The birds that live in Monfragüe National Park

One of the main attractions of Monfragüe National Park is its spectacular birdlife. Throughout the area, you can find diverse and unique species such as vultures, eagles, storks , and smaller birds that inhabit this incredible Extremadura ecosystem. With a little luck, you can catch some birds in flight, and there are countless ideal trails for doing so.

While enjoying the park's magnificent nature, these trails also offer spectacular birdlife in their natural habitat. Furthermore, there are trails suitable for all types of hikers, from some more difficult to others with no obstacles at all, so all visitors can complete at least one without any problems.

Monfragüe Castle, the park's hidden treasure

In terms of architecture, the most important site in the entire national park is Monfragüe Castle, whose state of preservation is somewhat dilapidated, but far from detracting from its splendor, it only enhances the mysticism that surrounds it. Built during the Arab period (9th century) on the remains of an old fort, this fortress was restored numerous times, but the passage of time has taken its toll.

Only a portion of the wall, two towers, a cistern, and a ravelin remain, but it's practically a must-see on any Monfragüe National Park itinerary. To reach it, you can take the so-called Red Route, the longest of all at 16 kilometers and starting from the village of Villarreal de San Carlos. Despite the distance, it's worth exploring to get up close to this architectural relic.